Focus UK Where the art is Specialist colleges of art and design have a long history in the UK and as the creative industries evolve, so too do the universities and colleges that train the artists of the future. Ed Colley reports

Art colleges in the UK are creative environments spilling over with all types of artists: painters, fashion designers, photographers, actors, sculptors, print makers, illustrators, jewellers, tailors, typographers and shoe designers. As art colleges are specialist institutions, however, they also tend to be smaller than other types of institution. This allows for an intensively creative atmosphere, in which students benefit from a cross-pollination of various ideas, instincts and creative methods.

Subject diversity or subject focus? Although students at general educational institutions in the UK might be interested in each other’s subjects, there is a limit to how much they can develop one another’s area of expertise. They most likely enjoy the huge level of student diversity offered by their institution, but if they wanted to engage in a significant discourse regarding their subject, they would have to wait until a tutorial or workshop in order to do so.

Art college students, however, are surrounded by people who might not necessarily share the same interests, but who are certain to have knowledge of a related field. They learn in a highly focussed environment. On top of receiving top-class training in their chosen specialisation, they are also able to explore how their interest might be developed further, using the theories and structures behind a host of interrelated disciplines.

Art colleges can give students the time, space and confidence to explore their creative interests

A hotbed of self-expression Because of the atmosphere created by a small group of creatively like-minded individuals, art colleges can give students the time, space and confidence to explore their creative interests. This atmosphere is enhanced by the fact that, in many colleges, once students begin their training in a particular field, the class they are assigned to remains the same throughout the course. As relationships develop, so too does the confidence to further share ideas, skills and experiences. Nicole Lewin from the United States is a BA (Hons) Design and Applied Arts student at Edinburgh College of Art. She explains that studying at art college, ‘provides a hotbed of self-expression as well as a safe place to experiment with one’s own art… I found that I developed not only in my work but also as a person. I was comfortable enough at the College to try new things with my appearance and to make friends with many different groups of people.’

This is a view echoed by academic John Hall at the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design: ‘When surrounded by like-minded individuals it provokes more lively discussion and debate and is a great opportunity to spark new friendships and make new contacts for life during and after study.’

The Glasgow School of Art
www.britainonview.com / Ingrid Rasmussen

From pop art to pop bands It is little wonder that UK art colleges have produced a slate of acclaimed creative individuals, such as Giles Deacon, Stella McCartney, Matthew Williamson, Anish Kapoor, Chris Ofili and Steve McQueen, who together form the driving force behind the UK’s leading international position in the arts. But it is also unsurprising, given the diverse mix of influences students encounter at art colleges, that many have gone on to achieve success in an artistic endeavour different from that for which they studied. For instance, Peter Capaldi, who studied graphics at The Glasgow School of Art, went on to become an actor, director and Oscar winner. Robbie Coltrane studied drawing and painting at the same institution and is now one of the UK’s most famous actors. However, it is with UK rock and pop bands that the strength of art colleges as a breeding ground for collective creative endeavours can be most clearly seen. The origins of classic British bands such as the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Beatles and Pulp all lie in the UK’s various art colleges, as do those of more recent acts. The Scottish band Travis formed at The Glasgow School of Art, which was also where Franz Ferdinand bassist Bob Hardy graduated and where the band’s drummer, Paul Thomson, posed as a life model.

Work hard, clay hard While UK art colleges have an obvious current and historical connection to the glamorous worlds of art, design and pop music, Jane Allan, Course Coordinator for Art, Design and Architecture at the Glasgow School of Art points out that, ‘Art colleges in the UK tend not to perceive themselves as glamorous and most students will find it very easy to adapt to the collegiate atmosphere and small scale’. It is also important to remember that art colleges are geared towards giving students a clear and focused education in their chosen area and students have to work hard to achieve success. As Jane points out, ‘The mix of dedicated studio space and specialist theoretical teaching aimed specifically at artists and designers creates a focused and professional atmosphere.’

One of the differences between art colleges and other institutions, which is not always fully appreciated by prospective students, is the studio-based character of the teaching. This encourages practice-oriented learning, leading to a student-centred curriculum. Nicole Lewin backs this up: she has ‘…found that having an entire studio space for my class and a permanent pattern-cutting room with all the equipment we needed, as well as well trained and dedicated staff was most valuable to the course and its students.’

‘Art colleges in the UK tend not to perceive themselves as glamorous and most students will find it very easy to adapt to the collegiate atmosphere and small scale’

Studio life Art colleges give their students the skills and education they need to succeed. Because of this, the links between UK art colleges and the art professions are strong. Students are often taught by practising artists, designers, writers and critics and the range of visiting professionals is unique. Students have access to placements and residencies in the community, in business and in education.

Learn from experience As well as visiting institutions directly, John Hall advises prospective students to find out more about UK art colleges by meeting members of staff in their home country, through careers events within their own town or city, and presentations organised within their school or college. Most often staff will be able to show examples of student work and talk in detail about the course structure and the study environment.

Most colleges and universities will be able to put students in touch with either current students or alumni from their home country so that they can question them about their educational experience. Students should also check to see if any former students from their school or college have attended the college that they are interested in, as they may have something useful to impart about their experience.Whichever art college you eventually attend, you are guaranteed to end up studying in an environment that is not only academically and professionally focused, but that also gives you the space to experiment creatively, and to forge links with other enthusiastic artists from a number of disciplines. If you dream of having your fashions modelled in Milan, your paintings displayed in Paris, or your sculptures studied in Seville, a UK art college would be a great place start.

Building your portfolio

^ From the left
Karen-Ann Dicken
Dominic Flannigan
Rosemary Hogarth

All students are studying at The Glasgow School of Art